Paytm, via its travel app Paytm Checkin, has launched a ₹99 opt-in flight cancellation feature, allowing customers to cancel eligible bookings and obtain a full refund of the airfare component. This option is available during booking for specific domestic and international routes and is marketed as a flexibility add-on for travelers.
According to the policy, cancellations must be processed through the Paytm Checkin app within designated time frames, with refunds credited back to the original payment method following airline confirmation. The refund does not include Paytm’s convenience fee or the cancellation protection premium itself. In some cases of airline-initiated cancellations, the premium may also be refundable, depending on eligibility criteria.
The online travel portal ixigo provides an optional “ixigo Assured” feature on select flights, allowing users to pay an additional charge at the time of booking for cancellation protection. When cancellations are made within the applicable period via ixigo’s platform, passengers can receive a refund of the airline fare component, subject to the product’s terms and conditions.
Cleartrip offers a flexible fare option known as “Freedom Fare” on selected flights, permitting passengers to cancel their bookings and obtain a refund of the airline fare if the cancellation adheres to the conditions outlined at the time of booking. This option is integrated into the fare structure and must be selected upfront.
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Goibibo also provides a cancellation protection add-on on specific flights, which allows customers to cancel their bookings without incurring standard airline cancellation fees, given that the cancellation is completed through Goibibo and within the relevant time limits. The availability and extent of this benefit depend on the airline and route.
Other platforms, including Yatra and EaseMyTrip, have previously introduced cancellation protection products in collaboration with insurers. These products typically reimburse airline cancellation fees rather than offering an automatic in-app refund and may require claim submission and documentation, distinguishing them from the platform-managed cancellation protections.
Furthermore, aviation regulations in India mandate that airlines provide passengers with a full refund if a flight is canceled by the carrier or rescheduled in a way that the passenger finds unacceptable.
Under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s Civil Aviation Requirements, airlines are obligated to offer either a refund or an alternate flight at no extra cost, regardless of whether the ticket was booked directly with the airline or through an online travel agency. Refunds in such cases must be processed within specified timelines, usually within seven working days for online bookings.
Domestic carriers comply with these regulations and provide refunds or rebooking options when flights are canceled for operational, technical, or weather-related reasons, although the timelines for refunds may vary depending on the disruption volume and the booking channel used.
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(Edited by : Anshul)
First Published: Dec 23, 2025 2:22 PM IST
